Former Dwarfs coach denies bribery claims

Former Ebusua Dwarfs coach, Robert Raymond Asibu, has denied ever receiving bribes from his players in exchange for selection.

“It was very sad when some of section of Dwarfs supporters led by one Mr Bob Stephens accused me innocently of receiving bribes from players.”

The CAF License A trainer dared anybody with evidence to come forward and expose him.

“I’m daring any player to come out to confirm this allegations if it’s true. Some even went ahead to accused me of sabotaging head coaches I have worked with. How can a qualified CAF License A coach like me have to sabotage before I get a job, he queried in an interview with Cape Coast-based Yes FM.

According to Coach Asibu, he sacrificed heavily for Dwarfs during his stint including having to plead with his players to play when the club was going through harsh some financial challenges.

“I sacrificed a lot for the club. Some of the Dwarfs players even boycotted training because of hunger and I sometimes even had to kneel before some of them before they accepted to join the training.

“The club’s supporters vice chairman can testify to that. Those young chaps I brought to replace the outgone senior players are currently the best players in the Dwarfs set up now. But I was accused of giving them playing time because I had taken bribe from their managers.”

However, he told Yes FM that he had no regrets availing his services to the club.

“I don’t regret coaching Dwarfs. I’m very grateful to the leaders of the club for having the confidence in me. It ended badly because of the attack on me from some of the supporters spiritually and physically.”

The former Dwarfs trainer disclosed that the club was yet to settle their arrears to him.

“It’s true that the Dwarfs still owe me. But the leaders have assured me that come what may, they will pay me my money.”

He said he was currently in Cape Coast with his family, hoping for the coronavirus pandemic “to go off and then I will decide the next destination in my coaching career.”

Coach Asibu touched on the late legends of Ghana football – Kwasi Owusu and Opoku Afriyie, who passed away this week.

“The late legends Opoku Afriyie and Kwasi Owusu were my seniors during my playing days in the late 70s. Owusu was the best striker at his prime, scoring 36 goals for the nation and uncountable number of goals for his club. He was undoubtedly the greatest striker I have ever watched.

“Asamoah Gyan and the likes have also done well, but comparing those players Owusu played with and against – to those of these current players, Afriyie is far better than Gyan and the rest of the strikers we’ve had as a football nation.”

Coach Asibu resigned from his post after Dwarfs 2-1 defeat to Liberty Professionals – enduring a torrid run in the Ghana Premier League in which he lost all four matches under his watch.